£100m rink plan for Altrincham to be put on ice?

The future of Altrincham Interchange could be in danger if the Altair development does not go ahead, an inquiry has heard. A planning inquiry is being held this week to determine whether Trafford Council will be granted a compulsory purchase order to force two businesses off the Altair site, on Oakfield Road.

The future of Altrincham Interchange could be in danger if the Altair development does not go ahead, an inquiry has heard.

A planning inquiry is being held this week to determine whether Trafford Council will be granted a compulsory purchase order to force two businesses off the Altair site, on Oakfield Road.

Government inspector Harold Stephens heard yesterday that if the order is not granted it will be 'almost impossible' for the scheme to go ahead.

Speaking at the hearing today Nick Payne, the managing director of Nikal, the developer behind the scheme, explained that if this is the case it could have a major impact on the interchange.

He said that Nikal had been working closely with Transport for Greater Manchester on the £19m refurbishment of the interchange, and had agreed to contribute just under £1m.

He said: "We agreed some time ago that it would be good to get a bridge link between the interchange and Altair and we agreed to make a financial contribution.

"Without it the development of the interchange could be in jeopardy."

A letter was submitted to the hearing from Transport for Greater Manchester which stated: "Funding associated with Altair is crucial to the success of the scheme and without this is will not go ahead."

Mr Payne also revealed that Nikal is in talks with supermarket giant Asda about it having a 16,000 sq ft store within the development.

The two businesses that face being forced off the land are ATS Tyres and the Bridge Inn, both of which have submitted formal objections to the order.

Further objections have come from the Altrincham and Bowdon Civic Society and Paulina Lewis, a resident on The Downs.